Thread by @swardley

X : That mapping of yours is outstanding.
Me : Thank you, that's very kind.
X : But it's also obvious. I can't believe I wasn't doing this before.
Me : Good things are often obvious in hindsight.
X : How did you come up with it?
Me : A mix of luck, hard work, trial and error.

... however, it took me at least six years to really accept (and gain the confidence) that others weren't already mapping - that's how "obvious" it seemed. Of course, it has also taken a good bit of obstinance - a willingness to ignore people that thought it was pointless.

... as a general rule, a mix of luck, hard work, trial, error, confidence and obstinance is normally needed to make any lasting change.
X : What about intelligence?
Me : Neither here nor there. A requisite amount is needed for the task at hand but that's often not a lot.

X : Aren't you worried that people will steal your mapping work?
Me : You can't steal what I give away. As another general rule, when you find something that seems really useful that's when the hard work starts. It takes a long time to get people to try something different ...

... it's like machine guns. It took a long time before they were adopted widely by US or British Army, leading to a bizarre situation of Germany adopting a US / UK invention into its Army long before either country did. It often takes a catalyst such as this before others change.